Archive for February, 2009
Piling On
Rating 3.00 out of 5
[?]Submitted by Northwest Harley Blog
Without a doubt this has started off a bleak year.
The media tells us that “deregulation” and “unfettered free markets” has brought our nation to the brink of financial ruin. I opened today’s newspaper and find articles telling me it’s worse than everybody says. Oregon’s jobless rate was [...]
Expect The Unexpected
Rating 3.00 out of 5
[?]Submitted by Northwest Harley Blog
Regardless of one’s stance on motorcycle clubs, rider associations, riding groups, or one-percent clubs, it’s nearly impossible to ignore the surging use of technology to reach out across the motorcycle base in the nation. In some instances, simple email proves useful for coordinating events, or the more [...]
The Velveteen Rabbit Movie
Rating 3.00 out of 5
[?]Submitted by Northwest Harley Blog
During dinner a couple weeks back my cell phone rang and I found myself in the middle of a telemarketing call. I was caught off guard not because it’s rare, but because the individual was promoting a new movie and it took me a moment to realize [...]
Harley-Davidson And The Pink Floor
Rating 3.00 out of 5
[?]Submitted by Northwest Harley Blog
Fifty years is a long time! Even longer in the toy business, but next week is a birthday party for everyone’s favorite Harley-Davidson doll, Barbie. She’s “more mature” these days and reflects the motorcycle company female demographics, but she is certainly not looking her age!
The motorcycle Barbie completes [...]
Public Safety Costs Cancel Snohomish Bike Show
Rating 3.00 out of 5
[?]Submitted by Northwest Harley Blog
I’ve posted previously on the unintended consequences of aggressive police staffing at biker rallies and the Snohomish Antique and Classic Motorcycle Show is the latest Northwest victim.
Until this year the Sky Valley chapter of A.B.A.T.E paid about $5,000 for security and no other event in the city [...]
Young People Dream Of Owning A Harley
Rating 3.00 out of 5
[?]Submitted by Northwest Harley Blog
Really? Or at least that is what Harley-Davidson’s chief marketing officer (CMO), Mark-Hans Richer hopes for with the new Sportster Iron 883. Richer was hired as CMO in July 2007 after leading the marketing efforts at General Motors’ Pontiac unit. So, I ask Mr. Richer have you [...]
Legal Intimidation Or Cyber-Squatting
Rating 3.00 out of 5
[?]Submitted by Northwest Harley Blog
A metonym is a word that denotes one thing but refers to a related thing. For example “Washington is a metonym for the U.S. Government.” And the number 81 stands for the eighth letter of the alphabet which is “H” and the first letter which is “A”: [...]
Ocker Films
Rating 3.00 out of 5
[?]Submitted by Northwest Harley Blog
The term refers to Australia films of a particular genre that were released during home-grown tax advantage days for film producers.
In looking at films during this era I ran across Stone which was made about the same time, but is not an ocker and is much different [...]
Motorcycle Stimulus
Rating 3.00 out of 5
[?]Submitted by Northwest Harley Blog
I was listening to outtakes from Steely Dan’s “Royal Scam“ while reading the economic news and more details on the “$787 Bill.”
It turns out that lawmakers added tax breaks for motorcycles to the stimulus package to help home-state industries. Tax deductions were added to the $787 stimulus [...]
Bikers Have Heart
Rating 3.00 out of 5
[?]Submitted by Northwest Harley Blog
That’s not a reference to Valentine’s day, but in case you’ve lost your calendar it’s coming up on Saturday.
Instead I’m referring to the fund raising event hosted by D&S Harley-Davidson in Medford, OR. The “Bikers Have Heart” event started a few years back when the community had [...]
Bridgestone Biker Club
Rating 3.00 out of 5
[?]Submitted by Northwest Harley Blog
It’s an interesting idea! A social networking type site from tire specialist Bridgestone. The company launched the UK-based Biker’s Club with the claim being a new worldwide meeting place for bikers and enthusiasts who will get the unique benefit of advice from some of the top experts in [...]
Image Buyers Wanted
Rating 3.00 out of 5
[?]Submitted by Northwest Harley Blog
2010 Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson Edition
I’m not talking digital cameras. It’s about motorcycle enthusiasts who like riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles and are likely to have an affinity toward other like-minded products that carry the lifestyle brand.
There are various elements that effect consumer choice and purchasing behavior which range from [...]
Looking Up From The Stimulus Abyss
Rating 3.00 out of 5
[?]Submitted by Northwest Harley Blog
I spent a couple days last weekend with buddies catching up on some overdue winter recreation.
On the drive east talk turned toward the economic situation. We reminisced about a time where money was flowing, easy money. Anybody could qualify for a loan — I mean anybody. One [...]
Where Deer And Antelope Play
Rating 3.00 out of 5
[?]Submitted by Northwest Harley Blog
Antelope, Oregon Garage
Near Antelope, OR (Wasco County) there are some beautiful motorcycle roads. I’ve traveled this county a few times and the route just off the Dalles California Hwy is a peaceful sagebrush filled valley with rolling hills. The roads are Antelope Hwy (H-293) and the Shaniko [...]
Gang Threat Level Orange
Rating 3.00 out of 5
[?]Submitted by Northwest Harley Blog
As a biker, I know there is a difference between the true image of brothers in the wind and public perceptions. This becomes acute when it’s time to work on serious issues like association rights, enhanced “affiliation” penalties, noise mandates, ordinances to eliminate rallies and deal with [...]
Going Fast Was A Way Of Life
Rating 3.00 out of 5
[?]Submitted by Northwest Harley Blog
I have a weakness for muscle cars.
A Ford Hybrid Escape just doesn’t do it for me. Over the years I’ve spent a fair amount of time wrenching a ‘67 Camero, but these days it’s been on a mid-sixties Vette. Given my experiences and looking over parts receipts [...]
Springsteen Half-Time Show Sparks Piano Violence Outcry
Rating 3.00 out of 5
[?]Submitted by Northwest Harley Blog
The Piano Protection Society is an independent organization founded in 1958 by a group of piano lovers concerned with the plight of battered pianos. Today they held a press conference in London lambasting Springsteen and the NFL for yesterdays sad Super Bowl display of an ill-treated musical [...]
Bring Your Rebellion, Bring Your Art
Rating 3.00 out of 5
[?]Submitted by Northwest Harley Blog
Angst and rebellion may not be a central corporate theme at Harley-Davidson these days and one could debate how long it’s been since any rebel really rocked a Harley motorcycle. But as an American cultural icon it seems to follow that we — that is me, you, [...]
